Signal device



F. B. LITTLE SIGNAL DEVICE Aug. z3, 193s.

'Filed April 5, v1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l F. B. LUTLE 2,128,150

S IGNAL DEVICE Aug.A 23, 1938.

Filed April 3, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 23, 1938.v

F. B. LITTLE SIGNAL DEVICE Filed April 5, 1937 5. Sheets-Sheet 5 Augo23, 1938..

F. B. LITTLE SIGNAL DEVICE Filed April 3, 1937v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ang.23, 193s. F, B, .TTLE 2,128,150-

SIGNAL DEVICE FiledApril s, 1957 5 sheets-sheet s 14 143 57145 163154167 146 lee fd [1960 l 8 Ef Patented Aug. 23, 193

.untreu STATES PATENT oFFlcE Claims.

This invention relates to improvernents in audible signals and hasspecial relation to an electrically operated audible signalling devicewhich can be used inplace of an ordinary electric door 5 bell, or theaudible signal of an alarm clock, or an electric signal to giveinformation that a door has been opened, as well as in many othersitua-,tions The invention contemplates the sounding of either a singlesounding'device, such as a musical tube, or the associated sounding oi aseries of sounding devices, such as a series of associated tubes whichwill produce a series of harmonious and related tones somewhat similarto the well known quarter hour audible signals of clocks, or metal barswith resonators.

An important feature ol the invention relates to asimple i'orm ofconstruction of the striking hammer by which the sound produced may bereadily adjusted as to strength, to the end that the tonos produced maybe of any strength from very soft to relatively loud.

Another important feature relates to a construction which, so far as theindividual mechanical or sounding mechanism is concerned, includesduplicate parts, so that in making up a device for a speciiic purpose itis merelynecessary to lengthen or shorten the longitudinal frame membersto provide space for the number of individual striking units desiredfrom one on up to such a multiple as may be necessary or desirable toproduce the sequence or sequences of sounds-or tones which may berequired.

This construction readily lends itself to the production of a singletone or to a successive production of the same sequence of tones or tothe production of different sequences of tones in a regular order.

Another feature, which aids materially in the 40 reduction of cost ofmanufacturing the devicer relates to the provision o end frame plateswhich are exact duplicates of each other, so that in manufacture the endplates can be produced from one set of dies and are all alike, and notrights and lefts, and can be used interchangeably at either end of themechanism.

Another important feature relates to a simple means for protecting themechanism from a continuous operation, which might occur when thecontrol circuit is either accidentally or purposely held closed, -formore than a time sufficient to start the mechanism into operation.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a self startingsynchronizedjelectric motor '5 for operating the striking mechanism, aset of operation of a hand switch.

chime tubes or metal bars with resonators and individual hammer orstriking devices, one for each tube or bar, a low voltage relay controlcircuit forstarting the motor and means for opening the motor circuitafter the sounding of a 5 speciiled series of tones.

Another feature of the invention relates to a construction by which themechanism can be as sociated with an alarm clock to be started by theusual alarm release, the arrangement being such l0 that the usual alarmrelease operates to close the motor circuit directly and not through thecontrol circuit and the apparatus will then continue to sound until the.motor circuit is opened by the For accomplishing the above and otheradvantages and objects, the invention consists in the means disclosedand particularly pointed out in Athe appended claims, the accompanyingdrawings forming part of this specification, and the. 20 followingdescription setting forth, in detail, but one of many possibleembodiments of the invention. such disclosed arrangements. andcombinations of parts, devices and mechanisms constituting, however,merely an exemplification of the 25 principle of the invention ratherthan a disclosure of the many modifications and variations which willreadily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.

The invention will be more readily understood 3o by reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a mechanism including severalmusical tubes and embodying the invention in one, a preferred, 35 form;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, andshowing the operating mechanism in front elevation;

` Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section on the l4o line 3--8 of Fig.2;

Fig. 3a is a detail view similar to a part of Fig. 3 and showing samemore clearly:

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary horizontal sections on the lines 4-4 and 5respectively of 45 Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 6-8 of Fig. 5v;

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary detail horizontal section 50 on the line 'l-1of Fig. 3;

Fig. B is s. fragmentary vertical section on the. line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section on ,the lines 8 0 of Figs. 2and 8: 5

' Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side view of the apparatus showing anautomatic motor stop;

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary detail vertical section showing the manner ofapplying a circuit closer to such 'a clock, to close the motor circuit;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of one of the end plates of the frame;

Fig. 14 is a front plates:

Figs. 15 and 16 are horizontal sections on the lines l5-i5 and I6-i6respectively of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a detail side view of the hammer assembly similar to thatshown in Fig. 8, but illustrating the means of varying the volume ofsound produced:

Fig. 18 is a side view of thehammer stop;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the hammer stop;

Fig. 20 is a side view of the hammer arm;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the base of the hammer arm; and

Fig. 22 is -an electric diagram showing the operating circuit and thecontrol circuit and the several. preferable ways of closing the -controlelevation of one of the end circuit.

As portrayed in Fig. 1, the apparatus is preierably arranged in asuitable case which, as shown may carry a-clock 3i, with an extra hand32 for indicating the time of operation of an alarm. The oase, as shown,is adapted to be secured in an elevated position and I preferablyprovide a plurality of musical tubes 33 depending from the apparatuswithin the case.

Now referring to Fig. 2, the apparatus within the case will bedescribed. In this figure 'the case 30 is represented merely by its topwall 34.

`lThe apparatus within the case comprises several different mechanisms,all carried or mounted on a rigid frame designated generally by A.

The several devices or mechanism, carried by the frame A, comprise. asshown, a multiple chime striking mechanism B, an electric motor andoperative connections C forv operating the striking mechanism, a circuitcontrolling mechanism D operable on a low voltage circuit for startingthe motor, and a protective device E, the function of which is to breakor open the low voltage circuit should it happen that it inadvertentlyor intentionally remained closed for a period which would cause theoperation of the signaling mechanism beyond a predetermined time orsequence of sound signals.

The frame A comprises two end plates 35 and 38, one at each end of theframe. These end plates are preferably die cast from a single die inorder to reduce the cost and, although some features appear in eachplate which are not used at one end, these features are made use of 'atthe other end. Each end plate consists of a relatively wide vertical webpart 31 which has an integral flange 38 on one vertical edge, the web 31being arranged centrally of the flange. The flange 38 extends both aboveand below the web portion, as

shown at 39 and 40. At the upper end 39 it is provided with a forwardlyprojecting end portion 4i by which-the frame is secured to the case 30by screw bolts 42, and at the lower end 40 it is provided with a.forwardly projecting supporting lug 43 extending forward from the flange38 and provided with a vertical central slot 44, (see Fig. 11,)elongated longitudinally of the lug for a purpose to be described. Theupper extension of the end `39 of the flange is provided with a hole 45,see

. the bar 5Ivfor a purpose Fig. 14, adapted to receive a supportingmember, such as ascrew, nail or hook. for supporting the mechanism on awall or the like. The lug 43 at the lower end of the flange ispositioned between the lower edge of the web 31 and the free lower 5 endof the ange 38 and, like the upper end, this lower end portion o'f theflange is also provided with a hole 45 for receiving a suitablefastening device such as a screw 41. Y

As mentioned before.' the two end plates are 10 exactly alike and arerigidly connected by a flat longitudinal bar 48 secured to the flanges38 of the end members 35 and 38 by screws 48. This top bar 48 isprovided with holes 50 which register with the holes 45 near flanges 38of the end plates for receiving the supporting devices.

The end plates are also joined by a bottom bar 5i which -rests on thetops of the lugs 43 and is secured thereto by bolts which pass throughthe slots 44. The slots 44 permit the forward and rearward adjustment ofto be described. The end plates are further secured together by suitablespacer bars 5i' rigid.

. Chime striking mechanism The chime striking mechanism B comprises alongitudinally extending horizontal shaft 52, which is rotatably mountedat its ends in bearing openings 53 provided in the end plates 35 and 35.The shaft is held against endwise movement by the hub of a chainsprocket 54 secured at one end of the shaft and by a set collar 54'. Thechain sprocket 54 is located on the outer thel frame plate 35 and thecollar 54' on the inner side of said end plate. A timing cam 55 isseicured on the opposite end of the shaft 52, outside of the oppositeend frame 35.

Rigidly mounted on the shaft 52 between the 4 end plates 35,-36 arestriker disks 56, one for' each chime tube to be struck.

The shaft 52 is located, as shown, about midway between the front and,rear edges of the end plates, and below this shaft and toward theforward edges of the end plates is a second shaft 51 which is secured inhorizontal position by screws 58 passing through holes 58 in the endplates and received in threaded holes in the ends of the shaft. v

The hammer mechanisms, one for each tube to be struck, are mounted onthis rigid shaft 51. Each of these hammer mechanisms consists of two fmain parts or members, a stop member 60 and ai hammer member 8 I i Thestop member comprises a yoke havingv two spaced arms 62 and across'connecting part 63 joining the ends of the arms. The arms areprovided with hubs 54 at their free inner ends which are provided withcentral holes to t; snugly on the shaft 51. The yoke is adapted to brigidly secured in place on the shaft 51,v as by sei; screws 55, one ineach hu I 5 The hammer member 5I comprises a hub 51 which fits betweenthe inner faces of the hubs 54 of the stop member and has a centralhola.` 88 to receive the shaft 51, the arrangement bei ing such that thehammer member can swing freely on the shaft.

The hammer member 6| is provided with a arm 69 which is arranged toproject out above the cross-part 63 of the stop member, and I inter posea' yielding cushion 10 between these twv parts, which yieldingly andquickly stops the harmer on its effecti z stroke. Opposed to the proside of 3 the upper ends of the 15 43', one at each end. 2o

to make the frame A very 25 y jections 39-and extending substantially inthe opposite direction is a curved cam projection 1i,

(see Fig. 17), the function of which will be described later.

'I'he hammer member has a depending rigid hammer arm 12 which carries adat spring-like strip 13 extending beyond the free end 14 of the hammerarm 'i2 and carrying a hammer head 15.

secured rigidly thereon. The strip 13 lies substantially parallel to thehammer arm 12 and is secured at its inner end on a substantially radialshoulder 18 atthe base of the arm 12, as with the screws 11. Between theouter end 1I of the hammer arm 12l and the spring strip 13 is arranged acushion '13 of sponge rubber or the like to cushion the return or backmovement of the hammer head. 'I'he hammer head itself comprises an innerend 19 and an outer end 30 secured on the freeend of the strip 13 bymeans of a central screw 3i, the strip 13 being provided with a hole l2through which the screw passes. The inner end 83 of the inner hammerpart is provided with a central hole or pocket I4 which is internallyscrew threaded and which receives and retains a soft plug 8l, preferablymade of leather or the like. which projects beyond the inner end of thepart 1I, and which constitutes the part of the hammer which contacts thesound producing device, which in the form shown comprises one of thelmusical tubes or pipes 33.

The striker disks 5l on the shaft i2 are each provided with acircumferential row or ring of holes l1 to receive pins 33 spacedcircumferentially around the disk Il and the pins, which project outsidewise from the disk are arranged and adapted to engage the curved camprojection 1i of the hammer and force the projection 1I down.

wardly and swing the hammer outwardly, as best shownin dotted lines onFig. 8. The hammer is yieldingly held inwardly, with the projection 89in contact with the cushion on the stop 30, by a coil spring 89connected at one end on one of the` with a hole to receive the end ofthe spring.

The musical tubes 33 are hung from the lower cross bar li bynonresilient yokes 92, the bar 5i, as best shown in Fig. 9, beingprovided with key-hole slots 93 in its front edge to receive the yokes92. The slots $3 are spaced to cause the tubes 33 to hang in line witheach hammer. This method of hanging the tubes leaves them practicallyfree to vibrate in response to the strokes of the hammer.

The stop members 60 are adapted to be adjusted circumferentially on thefixed shaft 51 upon which they are mounted, and, as the tension springs89 hold the projections 69 of the hammers pressed upon the stops 80,that is, upon the cushions 10, it will be evident that, by adjusting thestop members around the shaft 51, the spacing of the hammers from thetubes 33 can be adjusted.

As shown in Fig. 8, this spacing of the hammers from the tubes, as shownat 84, is usually about one eighth of an inch for the full or loudesttones and these tones can be softened to any practical amount byadjusting the stop members 80 so'as to hold the hammers farther from thetubes when the hammers are at rest, v

The hammer mechanism-operates to swing the hammer outwardly for astroke, as indicated in dotted lines Fig. 8, against the force of thespring Il, and when the contacting pin Il slips oil of the camprojection 1i the spring 39 pulls the hammer inwardly to cause thestroke. However, the rigid hammer arm 6I is stopped on its inwardmovement by the stop 60, in its position shown in full lines in Fig. 8,but the hammer head 1B continues toward the tube 33, on account o'fbeing secured to the resilient strip 13, until it is stopped by hittingthe tube, when it is instantly retracted, both by reason of the reboundand by the action of the strip 13, which draws the hammer head backuntil the strip 13 contacts with the cushion 13.

As shown in Fig. 1, the several chime tubes 33 are of substantiallyuniform diameter, and to obtain the different tones desired theseuniform diameter tubes vary in length. Sometimes it is desirable,instead of using tubes of uniform diameter, to use tubes known asgraduated tubes, that is, tubes of different diameters, but the spacesat 94 should always be the same or uniform. By means of the elongatedslots Il for the screws 43' which secure the bar 5i in position, the barSi can be adjusted in relation to-the line of hammers to make the spaces98 uniform for the vseveral tubes in the. set.

Such uniformity of spacing results in the tones produced by striking theseveral tubes being substantially uniform as to volume.

However. it is sometimes desired to reduce the volume and sound the tubesofter than the loudest possible orto make it very soft.` This isaccomplished by adjusting the yoke 80 with the hammer stop 83 so as tostop or set the hammer at a distance from the tube in inverse ratio tothe intensity of tone desired.

The multiplicity of holes 81 in the striker disks 5l are for the purposeof producing various cornbinations or sequences of sounds, as will bede-v scribed more fully hereinafter.

The motor C, as has been described, is an electric motor preferably ofthe synchronized and self starting type, and it is associated with asuitable speed reducing mechanism shown generally at 86, which has aprojecting driving shaft 31 which carries a chain sprocket 98. A drivingchain 88 connects this sprocket with .the chain sprocket 54 on the shaft52, on which the striker disks 56 are mounted, and when the motor isrunning the shaft 58 is rotated and the tubes 33 are struck inaccordance with the setting or arrangement of the pins 38 on the severalIt is obvious that the hammer arm with its resiliently mounted hammerand the yoke 60--62-63 constitute a hammer assembly which can bemanufactured in quantities and assembled, as may be necessary, with theshafts 85, one for each tube of the mechanism being made.

This arrangement greatly facilitates the manufacture of such chimes andreduces the manufacturing cost, as the hammer assemblies are allduplicates of each other. Furthermore, the adjustability of the yoke onthe shaft does away with the necessity for varying the weight of thehammer heads to produce the volume of sound desired.

Control mechanism The control mechanism D functions preliminarily toclose the motor circuit and thus start the operation of the mechanism,by the closingv of the control circuit by means of a push but# ton orother means for temporarily closing the control circuit.

This mechanism includes a relay circuit closer,

, 52, is made of insulation material -such as hard rubber. Bakelite orthe like. The spring *contact strips are metal, such as spring brass orbronze; they are secured rigidly on a block |03 of insulating materialrigidly mounted on the outer side of the end plate 00 and projecttangentially toward the timing wheel 55.

The timing wheel has a number of V-shaped notches |04 in its periphery,and the free end |05 of the contact strip |0| is formed to project intosaid notches when the wheel rotates to a position to permit same. Thetwo strips |0| and |02 are provided with opposed and cooperating contactor circuit closing projections |05 and |01. respectively, and thearrangement ls such that, when the free end |05 of the strip |0| entersone-of the notches |00 the contacts |05 and |01 are separated, thusopening the motor circuit in which these contacts are included. and whenthe wheel 55 is rotated suiilciently to lift the end |05 of the strip|0| out of a notch and cause it to ride on the periphery 'of the wheel,the contact |08 is closed against the contact |01 and the motor circuit,of which these points are a part, is closed. The arrangement is suchthat, when the wheel 55 rotates to bring one of the notches |04 to aposition to permit the end |05 of the strip |0| to enter the notch. theend |05 is Vforcedinto the notch by the resiliency o f the strip and thenotch is formed to permit the end |05 tc drop freely into the notch atAsuch time. This causes a quick break of the circuit at the points 08|01 and prevents sparking or As shown, the wheel 55 has three of thenotches |04 equally spaced around the periphery thereof andthis-construction serves to stop the shaft 52, three times in eachrevolution.

It should be understood that the striking pins 8 8 of the disks 58 aregrouped in accordance with the number of notches |04. and consequently.as shown, the mechanism will produce three successive sequences of tonesfor each revolution of the shaft 52, which may be the same sequences, ordiflerent sequences in accordance with the arrangement of the pins 08.

The relay circuit closer |00 is arranged in a low voltage circuit whichmay be preliminarily closed by means of an ordinary bell push button|08, (see Fig. 22) or by a door operated circuit closer |08. (see Fig.22).

This relay circuit closer |00, as shown in the drawings, comprises afixed relay magnet arranged to extend horizontally and rigidly mountedat one end on the upper end of a rigid L-shaped bracket ||2. which isrigidly secured on a shelf Il! of insulating material arrangedhorizontally and rigidly secured on the inner side of the end plate 80.as by screws lil.

'I'here is a swinging armature ||5 provided for the relay, which isL-shaped and is pivotally mounted to swing up and down on a pivot ||5carried by the bracket ||2 below one end of the relay coil. The amatureextends beneath the relay coil and has an upstanding arm v||'|projecting in close proximity to the adjacent end ||8 of the relay core,so that when the relay circuit is closed the armature ||5 will be swungburning of these points.

upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 3 and when thecircuit is opened it will drop by gravity to the, position shown in fulllines in said figure.

I make use of this movement of the relay armature to close the motorcircuit. This is accomplished by the following means. Upstanding fromthe shelf H3 of insulation material are two opposed resilient contacts||9 and |20. These contacts are arranged in the motor circuit. Betweenthese contacts H9 and |20 is arranged a cylindrical contact makingmember |2| rigidly carried on a horizontal rod |22, which in turn is-rigidly secured to and projects laterally from the lower part of thearmature ||5. When the relay coil is energized and the armature ||5 isswung up, the member |2|. which is in the form of a small cylinder, isdrawn up between the opposed ends |28 and |24 of the contact members||0|20 and closes the motor circuit at this point.

For the purpose of holding the motor circuit closed for a suillcientinterval of time to start the apparatus into operation even though thestarting circuit is but momentarily closed. I provide a latch device|25, (see Figs. 3 and 22) to hold the circuit closing member |2| incircuit closing position between the contacts ||0 and |20 for a certainpredetermined interval of time.-

This latch device comprises a lever |25 arranged on a horizontal pivot|21 between its ends and carried by the -shelf H8. The upper end p0rtion|28 of this lever has a notch |28 in one edge which is adapted toreceive the rod |22 when the armature ||5 is lifted, andthe lever isswung forward, to cause such operation, by a small tension spring |00which is secured at-one end to the upper end of the lever and at itsopposite end to the shelf H8.

The spring |30 operates toahold the upper end |28 of the lever |26toward the right (Fig. 3) at all-times. In the normal open circuitposition the upper part |28 of the lever |20 contacts with the rod |22in position to be drawn forward beneath the rod when the armature ||5and the circuit closure |2| are lifted, due to the energizing of therelay coil by the closing of the auxiliary or starting circuit.

The normal standing or is shown in full lines in Fig. 3a, which showsthe forward edge |8| of the latch lever |20 held against the rod |22 bythe action of the spring |20. a

After the armature ||5 has been lifted by the energizing of the relaycoil and the circuit closure |2| is locked in circuit closing positionby the latch lever |20 the parts remain in this condition until thelatch member is pulled back from engagement with the rod |22. To effectthis release the lower end |22 of the latch lever |25 is engaged by apin |32 set in one of the holes 81 in one of the disks 58 which islocated below the control mechanism D.

The disks 5G are rotating in the direction of the arrow |20 on Fig.lever |28 projects into the path of the pin |33.

-The lever is preferably provided with an in- 3, and the lower end |82of the circuit open position ture drops down, if the control or startingcircuit l is otherwise open. that is ifthe relay coil is not energizedat this time.

The relation between the throw-off vpin |38 and the notches |04 in themotor circuit control disk 65 is such that when the apparatus is at restit has been brought to rest by one of the notches |04 effecting theopening of the motor circuit by the end |05 of the resilient switch arm|0| dropping into one of the notches4 |04, thereby Separating thecontacts |06 and |01. In the usual operation of the mechanism the motorcircuit has been previously opened by the swinging of the lever |26.thus letting the circuit closer |2| drop down out of contact with thecontact strips ||8 and |20. Then when the control-circuit is againclosed the motor circuit is rst closed by the circuit closer |2|, thecircuit being open between the contacts |06 and |01 but before therelease of th'e contact closer |2| takes place the disk 56 has rotatedsufficiently to close the motor circuit at the contacts |06 and |01;then the circuit closer |2| isA releasedand opens the motor circuit atthis point while it is still closed at the contacts |06 and |01.Consequently there is no sparking at the contacts H8. |20 due to thedropping down of the circuit closer |2|, and the stopping of the motoris accurately timed by the notches |04 in relation to the severalsequences of the striking pihs, 88.

To prevent the'armature 5 dropping down too far and to set it tooperatejust right there is an adjustable stop |86 provided beneath thearmature and comprising a screw mounted at its lower end ina suitablescrew-threaded hole in the shelf ||8 and locked in adjusted position bya jamb nut |81.

It is to be noted that the end plate 86 is provided with a relativelylarge rectangular opening |38 near its top and opposite to the controlmechanism through which the operation' of the control mechanism can beobserved and adjusted; this same opening serves in the end plate 35 inpermitting the assembling of the motor and speed reducer with the framework. The speed reducer 86 is mounted on an L-shaped bracket |38 securedto and extending inwardly from the end plate 35. The gear reducer issecured to the f bracket by screw. bolts |40.

It might sometimes occur, either by accident or intentionally, that thepush button |08 would not automatically release and open the controlcircuit before the motor circuit would be opened' ltectlondevice isdesignated generally by E, and

is mounted on a shelf |4| of insulation material arranged within thecase substantially above the mechanism D. 'I'he shelf |4I, as best shownin- Fig. 3, is secured by an L-shaped bracket member |42. which in turnis rigidly secured to the upper frame bar 48. The various parts of theprotecting device are secured to this shelf as to a. base. These partsinclude, as best shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, a pair of resilient circuitcontrolling arms |48 and |44 provided with opposed contact points |45and |46, respectively. The arm |48 is rigidly mounted, at the end |41opposite to the end which carries the contact point |45, on a bracketmember |48 which is rigidly mounted on the shelf or base |4|. Thebracket |48 is U-shaped and one arm |49 thereof is secured to the base|4|, as by screws |50. The

other arm |5| extends horizontally above the base |4| and is bent up atits free end |52 to form a stop to limit the downward movement of theresilient arm |48 when relieved of the' pressure of the arm |44. Theresilient arm |43 is secured at its rear end upon the rear part` of thearm |5|. as by a screw |53. A circuit wire is connected to the bracket|48 by one of the securing screws |50 and the contact point |45 isconnected through the bracket |48 and resilient arm |43 with saidcircuit.

The opposite arm |44 is one arm of a bellcrank the other arm |54 thereofprojecting downwardly. 'I'he bell-crank, is pivotally mounted at As bestshown in Fig. 6, the bracketl55, is

secured to the base |4| by a. bolt |51 and by a screw |58. 'Ihe bolt |51passes through the base |4| and serves to connect the other circuit wireso that when the two contact points |45 and |46 are in contact thecircuit is closed 'at this point.

A tension spring |59 is connected at one end to the dependent arm |54 ofthe bell-crank and at its other end to a rigid L-shaped bracket |60,which is secured rigidly to andstands up on the base |4|, and the springtends to swing the contact arm |44 downwardly and break the circuit. Forholding the'arms |48 and A|44 in contact against the pull of the spring|58 I provide a thermally controlled device which is heated when currentpasses through the circuit including the arms |43 and |44, and whenheated functions to let the spring |59 p'ull the arms |43 and |44 of thebracket arm |5|, as best shown in Fig. 2.

The thermally controlled device includesa very ne'wire |62 which istenslonedaround a spool |88 of insulation material. The spool |63 isrigidly mounted in connection with the bell crank lever |44-|54 by meansof a rigid dependent projection |64, which has a screw-threaded openingadapted to receive a screw |65 which passes through a central hole inthe spool and clamps the spool between the head of the screw and thelower end of the projection |64.

The spool |63 has a central circumferential groove |66 which receivesthe thermal wire |62. The wire |62 is stretched in U-form and each endof the wire is secured to a small rod |61 by which the wire can besecured in stretched condition. The rods |61 are clamped in bindingposts |68 which are mounted on and rise from the base |4| one at eachside of the bracket |48. These posts are connected in the circuit andwhen the circuit ls closed the wire is heated and expands in length andallows the spring |59 to open the circuit at the points |45, |46.

Beneath the base |4| there ls provided a simple rheostat |69 which is incircuit and by which the amount or proportion of current passing throughthe thermal' control wire |62 can be regulated in an obvious manner. Therheostat |68 is of the bare wire type and a swinging adjustable contactlever is provided which is adapted to be swung over and in contact withthe rheostat should be so tensioned. when cold, that the contact arm |88is lifted free of the stop |52 and the free end of the opposite arm |88is against the lower side of the end |8| oi the bracket' |88.

'I'he circuit in which the control device E and the relay li lare'included is what may be termed the low voltage or control circuit andincludes the variousmeans ior manually or automatically closingthiscircuit ior eifecting the starting of the motor C in the manner thathas been described.

Besides the ordinary push button |08 before.

referred to, I also illustrate a circuit clor which, in its operation,closes the control circuit for but an instant, but the relay mechanism Dis so sensitive -that even such an instantaneous closing oi the controlcircuit eilects the starting of the motor and the operation of theapparatus through one cycle of sounds. Such a. circuit closer yisillustrated at |09, (see Fig. 22).

This circuit closer |09 consists o i two contact.

levers |12 and |18 provided with opposed contact points |18 and |15respectively. The lever |12 u rigidly mounted on a base |18 which isadapted 'to be secured to the top |11. of a door frame. The lever |13 isa swinging lever and' is pivotally mounted at its upper end to swing upand down on the free end of a bar |18 which is likewise secured at oneend to the base' |18. The lever |18 hangs in the path of the top oi' adoor |19 and the arrangement is such that when the door is closed bybeing swung to the right, Fig. 22, `the dependent lever |13 swingsfreely to the right to allow the door'to pass and as the door closes thelever drops down into the path oi the door. As the door is moved to theleft. Fig. 22, to open it the lever |18 is swung to the leit and eiiectsthe closing of the contacts |18, |15, thus closing the control circuit.Ii the door is swung open very quickly the contacts |18 and |15 maintainthe control circuit closed at this point for a very short time. but evenso the motor C is started and the apparatus functions as described, duetothe relay D instantly locking the motor into circuit by means ofretaining latch |28 and |28.

I have illustrated still another means for starting the motor, that is,in connection with the clock 3|.

As shown in Fig. l2 the clock 8| is provided with a circuit closer ||0.This closer comprises a pair of contact levers and |8| rigidly mountedon v an insulation base |82. The lever |88 is provided with a block |88of insulation material se- :ured on its free end. The clockis providedwith an alarm latch which is normally in position to engage the lowerend of the block |88 and hold the lever |80 up out oi contact with theother contact member |8|.

When the clock operates to release the control lever and allow the alarmto sound the wedge.

shaped end |88 is swung out from its circuit open position to a positionshown at |85, thus allowing the resilient lever |80 to close down intocontact with the lever |,8l and thus close the motor circuit.

It does not appear to -necessary to more fully describe the alarm clockmechanism, as the parto close the vmotor circuit will depend upon thetype of alarm clock used.

Bumce it to say that I prefer to arrange the clock control independentof or not effected by the protective device E, as it is desirable toprovide such a means of stopping the motor, when started by a clock, aswill necessitate manual manipulation.

Buch a means is shown and consists of. a hand switch or circuit opener|88 varranged in circuit with the clock circuit closer ||0. Thus whenthe switch |88 is open the clock will not cause the apparatus tofunction. When the switch is closedl the clock will cause the apparatusto sound at the time indicated by the settingoi the alarm, indicated bythe hand 32, and the apparatus will continue to operate and proceed witha succession of sequences oi sound for a long duration,

unless the operation is manually s topped by the opening of the switch|88.

-Having now fully described the several devices and their functions IAwill proceed to explain in detail the several circuits and theirco-operating vby the -notched control wheel 55 and when the motorcircuit is started by the operation of the relay device the wheel 55commences to rotate and eifects the closing of the motor circuit beforeit is opened by the dropping of the closer element |2|.

It will also be clear that, as shown, when the wheel 55 has made a thirdof a revolution, the

motor circuit will be opened and the motor will stop.

The source of supply for the starting or control circuit |9| as shown ispreferably a power circuit |82 through-a transformer |98 which reducesthe voltage to one suitable to use on a push button o'r bell circuit,that is to approximately l0 volts.

As shown in Fig. 22 one conductor |98 leads to the push button |08l anda branch, as shown at |95, leads to the door operated circuit closer|89. The other conductor |98 from the supply |9| leads ilrst to therelay and then back through the protector E and conductor |91 to thepush button |08 and by the conductor |88 to the door closer The circuitopening members |88 and |88 are interposed in this return conductor andthe thermal wire |82 is ln a shunt circuit to this control circuit, sothat when the .circuit is closed either by the push button |08 or doorcloser |09 current trol mechanism E. The coil ofthe clock 8|,

which is preferably an electrically operated self starting clock, isconnected by the conductor |88 on one side with conductor |88, of themotor supl ply through two co-operating contacts 200 and carried by theclock case and the frame of the apparatus respectively and adapted to bebrought into contact with each other when' the case 80 is secured inplace on the apparatus.

'I'he other side |90 of the supply is connected t0 the clock coil by theconductor 202 and the alarm control circuit, that is the contacts |80and |8| are connected to one side of the supply |90, as shown at 203,and the other side of the control circuit is first connected to theswitch |88 and then to the other side |88 of the supply by the conductor204, through a third pair of contacts similar to the contacts 200 and20|.

As thus connected, when the alarm clock operates to close the contacts|80 and |8|, the clock switch |86 being closed, the motor circuit willbe closed through |88, |89, 208, |86, |81, |80 and 202, and theapparatus will continuato operate until the switch |86 is manuallyopened.

As many modifications of the invention will readily suggest themselvesto one skilled in the art I do not limit or confine the invention to thespecific details of construction and operation nor to the specificcombinations of associated devices and constructions except within thescope of the appended claims.

1. In an apparatus of the kind described, a sound device, a hammer forhitting the sound device, a rigid hammer arm, a xed shaft upon which thehammer arm is pivotally mounted to swing from and toward the sounddevice, means for yieldingly holding the hammer arm in a normal positionwith the hammer spaced from the sound device, resilient means by whichthe hammer is mounted on the hammer arm to swing therewith, means forreleasing the hammer -arm and permitting the yielding holding means toswing the hammer arm toward Athe sound device, a stop in the path of theswinging hammer arm arranged to stop the striking movement of -thehammer arm at a point where the hammer is spaced from the sound device.the arrangement being such that the. resilient mounting of the hammerpermits the hammer to strike the sound, device and effects its instantwithdrawal from` the sound device to its normal position, and the stopbeing adjustable in the path of the hammer arm for varying the normalspacing of the harnmer from the sound device.

2. In an apparatus of the kind described, a' sound device, a hammer forhitting the sound device, a rigid hammer arm, a fixed shaft upon whichthe hammer arm is pivotally mounted to swing from and toward the sounddevice, means for yieldingly holding the hammer arm in a normal positionwith the hammer spaced from the sound device, resilient means by whichthe hammer is mounted on' the hammer arm to swing therewith, means forreleasing the hammer arm and permitting the yielding holding means toswing the hammer arm toward the sound device, a hammer stop carried bythe fixed shaft arranged to stop the striking movement of the hammer armat a point where the hammer is spaced from the sound device, thearrangement being such that the resilient mounting of the hammer permitsthe hammer to strike the sound device and eiects its instant withdrawalfrom vice, a rigid hammer arm, a fixed shaft upon which the hammer armis pivotally mounted to swing from and toward the sound device, meansfor yieldingly holding the hammer arm in a normal position with thehammer spacedl from the sound device, resilient means by which thehammer is mounted on the hammerv arm to swing therewith, means forreleasing the hammer arm and permitting the yielding holding means toswing the hammer arm toward the sound device, a stop for the hammerarranged to stop the striking movement of the hammer armat a point wherethe hammer` is 'spaced from the sound device, a stop member rigidlymounted on the fixed shaft and upon which said stop is carried, thearrangement being such that the resilient mounting of the hammer permitsthe hammer to strike the sound device and effects its instant withdrawalfrom-the sound device to its normal position, and said stop member beingadjustable around said shaft for changing the normal spac ing ofthe-hammer from the sound device.

4. In an apparatus of the kind described, a sound device, a hammer forhitting the sound device, a rigid hammer arm, a fixed shaft upon whichthe hammer arrn is pivotally mounted to swing from and toward the sounddevice, means for yieldingly holding the hammer arm in a normal positionwith -the hammer spaced from the sound device, resilient means by whichthe hammer is mounted on the hammer arm to swing therewith, means forreleasing the hammer arm and permitting the yielding holding means toswing the hammer arm toward the sound device, a rigid hammer stopcarried by th'e xedshaft arranged to stop the striking-'movement of thehammer arm at a point where the hammer i s spaced from the sound device,the arrangement being such that the resilient mounting of the hammerpermits the hammer to strike the sound device and effects its instantwithdrawal from the sound device to its normal position, a yokesurrounding the'pivoted end of the hammer arm, the rigid hammer stopbeing carned by the yoke, the yoke beingcapable of being adjusted aroundthe shaft for varying the normal distance of the hammer from the sounddevice, and a cushion interposed between the hammer arm and the rigidhammer stop.

5. In a chime mechanism of the kind described, a hammer assemblycomprising a fixed shaft, a hammer arm, a hammer resiliently mounted onthe hammer arm, the hammer arm having a hub for pivotally mounting thehammer arm on the fixed shaft, a yoke having spaced'hubs between whichthe hub of the hammer arm is received, means for fixing the yoke on thefixed shaft, the hammer arm and the yoke having cooperating projectionsby which the normal position of the hammer can be fixed, means fordisplacing the hammer arm, and means for returning the hammer arm tonormal position when it is displaced.

FREDERICK B. umn.

